By that trite definition, using an ASI could be considered to be 'Instrument Flying'! 'Sole reference to instruments' is the criterion, not just the odd look inside now and again.
You have your opinions, I have mine. But you cannot convince me that watching someone else's instrument flying should be considered 'Instrument Flight Time' under the JAR definition:
Time during which a pilot is controlling an aircraft in flight solely by reference to instruments
There is only one situation I can think of when hand flying the a/c yourself in IMC is definitely not 'Instrument Flight Time'....